Project UMPG: Creating sustainable jobs at the local level

It’s been a while since I updated everyone on how UMPG is doing. If you are new to this blog, see this post on what UMPG is. Basically, it’s my attempt to connect local farmers with international markets through value-added exports. More importantly, I really started UMPG as a concrete example of how much development can be achieved by members of the Diaspora investing in their communities beyond simply sending remittances to their families.

The first crop we’ve been trying to commercialize in large scale has been moringa oleifera. The moringa tree produces a very highly desirable leaf powder and the seeds can be harvested for their oil. After almost 5 years trying to make this project work, it is exciting to see these pictures. 2014 is going to be a great year. I’ll have more in-depth updates over the next few months, but for now, here’s a quick recap of what we’ve achieved in the last 3 months. For streaming updates like this one, make sure to follow UMPG on Twitter:

2mos ago, we started build a production facility in village of Kikuube, in Masindi district to process moringa powder pic.twitter.com/qfmvbtaT88